A former employee of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) employee was on Thursday, November 12, handed a blow after he lost property he had illegally acquired from the company.
Francis Githui Wahome who worked as a preventive officer at the government body was ordered to surrender land he illegally acquired from KRA as well as pay Ksh1 million in damages.
He was further directed to remove all the developments and structures on the land within 30 days.
"If they do not do this within the given period, the Plaintiff or the public entity that will take over the property, to either keep or remove the developments and if they remove the developments, the costs shall be passed over to the defendant," the ruling read in part.
The land situated close to Mtwapa Creek was reserved to host a KRA watchtower and a resting place for officers on patrol.
According to court documents, Wahome acquired the land from a Kilifi politician Kenny Mohammed Sheikh Ali (deceased) who had been issued with a letter of allotment.
Upon acquiring the property, Wahome transferred to a company which he co-owned with his wife and three sons.
The politician on his part had in 1994, applied to the Commissioner of Lands to be allocated the land on grounds that 'he had done a lot for KANU.'
"I have a lot for KANU but the party has forgotten me completely. You can see for yourself the amount of money I have contributed throughout the constituency.
"So please allocate me this land so that I can breathe a sigh of relief," he stated.
The land was not available for alienation, but in 1995, he was issued a letter of allotment.
Before obtaining a title deed, Mohammed sold his interest in the property to Wahome who processed title documents.
"Rather than protect KRA's interest, he colluded with Mohammed to irregularly acquire its property," the judge stated.
